Song 6 | MHM | STEP | Enquiring after Christ. This section shows the daughters of Jerusalem asking about Christ and wanting to seek Him together with the church. Their view of Christ and the church has grown. Before, they wondered why the church loved Him so much, but now they want to find Him for themselves. This change comes from hearing about Christ’s greatness and seeing the church’s love for Him. When believers talk about Christ and His goodness, it can make others want to know Him too. v. 1 : The daughters of Jerusalem ask, Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee . They now see the church as truly beautiful, because holiness is real beauty. They want to join her in searching for Christ. True love for Christ always wants others to know Him too. When people learn of Christ’s worth, they want to find Him and be close to Him. Searching for Jesus is best done together with other believers. We know Christ is in heaven, but we seek Him by faith and prayer, joining with all who call upon His name (Psalm 24:6; 1 Corinthians 1:2 ).

‏ Song of Solomon 6

Enquiring after Christ.

This section shows the daughters of Jerusalem asking about Christ and wanting to seek Him together with the church. Their view of Christ and the church has grown. Before, they wondered why the church loved Him so much, but now they want to find Him for themselves. This change comes from hearing about Christ’s greatness and seeing the church’s love for Him. When believers talk about Christ and His goodness, it can make others want to know Him too.

v. 1: The daughters of Jerusalem ask, Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee . They now see the church as truly beautiful, because holiness is real beauty. They want to join her in searching for Christ. True love for Christ always wants others to know Him too. When people learn of Christ’s worth, they want to find Him and be close to Him. Searching for Jesus is best done together with other believers. We know Christ is in heaven, but we seek Him by faith and prayer, joining with all who call upon His name (Psalm 24:6; 1 Corinthians 1:2 ^a).

v. 2: The church answers, saying she now knows where Christ is. My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies . The church had looked for Him in the wrong places before, but now understands that Christ is found in His “garden”—the church itself, among believers. He comes to care for His people and to enjoy their faith and love. Jesus feeds and delights in His church, and gathers His people close to Himself.

v. 3: The church now confidently says, I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies . She is sure of her relationship with Christ, even though she has failed in the past. The covenant between Christ and His people does not break, even when they are weak. When Christ seems distant, believers should still hold on to faith. The church knows that Christ loves her, and she belongs completely to Him. She trusts that He delights in His people and will return to comfort and bless her (Psalm 89:30-35 ^b).

The Church's Confidence in Christ; The Love of Christ to the Church.

In this section, Christ returns to speak kindly to His church after a time of distance. He shows that He has forgiven her and now speaks with love and respect. Christ points out her beauty, assures her of His love, and describes her excellence above all others. He shows that even when believers fail, His love remains strong, and the church is still precious to Him.

v. 4: Christ says, Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners . He compares the church to Tirzah and Jerusalem, cities known for their beauty and importance. Jerusalem, the holy city, is a picture of the church filled with God’s presence. The church is also “terrible as an army with banners,” meaning she is strong and respected because God is with her (Psalm 122:3; Hebrews 12:22 ^c).

v. 5: Christ declares His deep love for the church: Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me (Song of Solomon 6:5 ^d). He says her love and faith are so strong that they move His heart. Even after times of distance or discipline, Christ is quick to forgive and to show love again (Isaiah 54:8 ^e). He delights in the faith and obedience of His people.

v. 5–7: Christ repeats His praise for the church’s beauty, mentioning her hair, teeth, and temples, just as before (Song of Solomon 4:1–3 ^f). This means that His view of her has not changed, even after failure. He values her sincerity and repentance. Christ’s love does not fade when believers return to Him.

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v. 8–9: Christ says, There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number. My dove, my undefiled, is but one (Song of Solomon 6:8–9 ^g). Among all others, the church is unique and special to Christ. She is His “only one,” more precious than all the rest. This shows how the church stands out above all groups and people in the world because she belongs to Christ (Deuteronomy 33:29; Ephesians 1:10 ^h).

Christ adds that the church is also loved and admired by many: The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. She is the special delight of her “mother” and the favorite of all who know her. Even those who might be jealous respect her, showing that true holiness and love for God are beautiful to everyone (Proverbs 4:3 ⁱ).

v. 10: Christ repeats the praise others give to the church: Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? . The church is like the morning light—beautiful and full of hope. She is “fair as the moon,” reflecting God’s light, and “clear as the sun,” shining brightly in the world (Revelation 12:1 ^j). The church is strong and powerful, like an army with banners, because she stands with Christ and is filled with His glory (Isaiah 30:26; Matthew 13:43 ^k).

The Love of Christ to the Church.

This section shows how Christ, after a time of distance, returns to His church with renewed love. Even when there is a break in fellowship, Christ still cares for His people and is quick to restore the relationship. The church is called to return to Him and to show her beauty and faith, even after times of struggle or sadness.

v. 11: Christ says, I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished and the pomegranates budded . Even when Christ seems far away, He is still watching over His church, caring for her growth and looking for signs of spiritual life. He notices even the smallest beginnings of grace and is pleased with every sign of faith and love.

v. 12: Christ explains that He could not stay away for long. Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Ammi-nadib . His love for the church is so strong that He quickly returns, moved by her prayers and longing. Just as Joseph could not hide from his brothers any longer (Genesis 45:1 ^l), Christ is eager to come back to His people when they seek Him with all their hearts. Christ’s return is always because of His own love and grace.

v. 13: The church is called “Shulamite” and is invited to return: Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee (Song of Solomon 6:13 ^m). Christ and all who love Him want the church to come back with confidence and joy. She is asked to show her face, to be bold and cheerful in God’s presence. When asked, What will you see in the Shulamite? the answer is, As it were the company of two armies. This can mean the church is both beautiful and strong, like two armies ready for victory. It may also show the struggle between grace and sin inside believers, or the unity of saints and angels together. In every way, the church is precious and glorious in Christ’s eyes (Genesis 32:2 ⁿ).